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Author
Topic: Lancet reused, help! (Read 10589 times)

I recently found out I was pregnant. I got a rapid test done during my visit to planned parenthood, she opened everything before I got in the room including the lancet. Well after leaving that's when I remembered that and panicked. I called the clinic they stated that they only use safety ones and told me to come in and see it. They said they only use 2 brands. Neither of which were used on me- the girl who did my test was let go from PPH they said she was a new hire-freaking out.

I am pregnant so I freaked and took a test again 4 weeks after the incident- negative. They even told me to go to the website that they order their lancets from (PSS medical) and when I called (PSS Medical) they said the only lancets they ship are the same 2 brands I was shown. Now I'm wondering where did this girl get the lancet used on me from! Anyway my questions are are follows:

1- can a lancet transmit HIV? The person before me went in approx. 10-15 mins before I went in. 2- 3 1/2 weeks later I came down with really sore throat went away 3-4 days. Then I have had cough/phlegm runny nose/congestion for 8 days. 3- I had on and off ear pain 4-my doctor said my neck nodes were really really swollen. I haven't had a fever.

If this was ARS would I have tested positive at 4 weeks being that I would mean my body is making antibodies?

No one has ever gotten HIV from a lancet. Lancets are not designed to shove materials into the body, only remove them.

This is absolutely not an HIV situation.

Logged

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

Thank for your quick response. I know a lancet isn't I guess compared to a syringe where you are injecting something into the body. But if there was blood on the tip of the lancet couldn't that be considered injecting blood into your bloodstream when it pricks you?

Nope. The only way HIV can - even very briefly - remain viable outside the body (and the lab) is for it to be in the anaerobic environment (no oxygen) inside a hollow bore needle. This is why IV drug users who share needles get infected. And even then, they have to pretty much pass the needle directly, with no hesitation, from one person to another.

Logged

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

Man this is so hard for me to understand. Maybe because I had gone to the doctor because of this cold I got, so I addressed my fears with him he said that for suree it can be transmitted and that it would be 10% chance I would get it. So I freaked out, because I always thought it was via hollow bore needles like you have stated.

So for my pregnant mind to be at rest IF all had gone wrong and she did reuse a lancet on me- god forbid I am keeping my fingers crossed! And my cold or w/e this is if it was HIV related would it have shown up in the 4 week test?

Your outsized concern is all in the domain of what ifs without a shred of basis in fact. It's all about some state you've scared yourself into.

Nothing you have reported put you at risk for HIV. Frankly we are not going to indulge you in further exchanges as if there was a sound basis for your concern when there isn't.

If you come back here again about this same issue you are very quickly going to find yourself getting a Time Out from this site. You do not have an HIV problem. Period. Cut out the drama and get on with your life.

And if you can't let go of the fear then see a therapist or other professional to deal with the matter. We can't address that need in this setting.

Thank you Andy and I'm sorry. I didn't post this to offend you or make you upset

I just need a little clarification on your post I definitely do not want to get timed out as this forum has a lot of good information. When you say 'there isn't a sound basis for my concern' do you mean you also believe there is no way HIV can be transmitted this way or you don't believe that the would reuse it-even by accident.

There is no reason to doubt that the standard practices for safety were being practiced in your situation, as they have already reassured you. This is simply something you have gotten into your head without any factual basis in the specific situation.

I don't know if it is common for you to be worried in this unfounded manner about HIV. I'm wondering if perhaps your being pregnant has stirred up feelings and made you more concerned about HIV and other issues. In any case, you have no basis for being concerned about HIV at this time.

While your fears are understandable under the circumstances (being worried about your baby), they ARE unfounded. Hiv is simply not transmitted in the way you are worried about. Many doctors who are not specialists in the field of hiv are not very educated about hiv and they unfortunately give out incorrect information, as your doctor did with you.

I urge you to put this behind you and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. Do not keep testing - pregnancy can sometimes cause FALSE positive hiv antibody results. While the (FALSE) positive result would be ruled out with further testing, you do not need the stress during what should be a happy time.

Rest assured you are hiv negative. If we had any doubts, believe me we'd tell you. You do NOT have hiv.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Thank so much Ann for your post!! It has made me feel comforted by your response.

I think I am just going to move on and forget about this everyone keeps telling me-except the GP that it can't be transmitted. I have to accept this I hate living in constant fear that my next test will turn out positive and I'm scared what this stress is doing for my baby.

I have one more question, when you say it can't be transmitted that way is it because you think itd never happen that she'd accidentally reuse. Or that even if it was its not possible?

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

And yes, we would tell you if there was a chance. When the mother is hiv positive she can take meds that dramatically decrease the chance of the baby being infected, but she would have to start taking these meds during the pregnancy. So yes, we'd tell you so you could take the necessary steps to protect the baby.

But you don't have hiv so you don't need to worry about any of this. Seriously.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

My question was regarding if the cold I'm going through was actually ARS and since now It's about 10 days I've had it would my 4 week clear view test have came out positive? I've read mixed reviews about this.

What you're failing to understand is that your cold could not possibly have anything to do with hiv. You did NOT have a risk where the lancet was concerned.

Your negative test results - both of them - mean that you are conclusively hiv negative. You do not have hiv.

Sometimes - most of the time - a cold is just a cold. Particularly during cold and flu season like it is now.

By the way, this type of hypothetical "reused lancet" situation has come up here many, many times over the years. Not one of these people ever ended up hiv positive, despite freaking out just like you're doing. Stop it. For the baby's sake, if not your own.

If you cannot put these irrational, unwarranted fears behind you, I suggest you seek counselling before it ruins the joy you could be experiencing during your pregnancy.

If you read the Welcome Thread before posting like you're supposed to, you will have read the following posting guideline:

Quote

Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I know I am freaking out because that med tech as they told me was a new hire and was then fired. I can't help but thinking what if she wasn't paying attention and accidentally reused it because she hadn't done it enough times.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Thank you Ann. It's hard to do my husband wants to have unprotected sex and I'm scared to harm him by doing this, it has been frustrating. I don't want to spread anything to another innocent person if I did catch it.

But if you say there's no way it can be transmitted via lancet that means its safe to do without the use of any protection for sexual activity with my husband without fearing ill infect him?

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Ann- my GP just called me. He informed me that he wants me to take a test in 2 weeks the 16th and he also wants me to test again February 13. I told him again exactly what happened and he told me that this was not a joke and that if it did happen I could be infected and I was not to have unprotected anything with my husband. He said, that I am sick and if this is possibly ARS that I am highly contagious at this point.

What the heck is going on... He has scarede me

He called to tell me my husbands bloodwork result from when he went to get a check up and to follow up on 'my situaton' he said.

I'm sorry you have such a misinformed doctor. You have not had a risk for hiv infection.

This has gone on long enough. I'm giving you that time out you have been warned about. Do not attempt to create a new account to get around your time out because if you do, you will be permanently banned.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

My question is, if someone is HIV+ and person who is hiv - uses their eyeliner/mascara (eye make up) could HIV be transmitted to them?

My mother and baby sister were over and they used my eyeliner and possibley mascara. They don't know anything that has been going on with me, I do not want to worry them. Anyway, they have the habit of trying on my make up (in this scenario my eyeliner and mascara that I had used previously)

If I am to have HIV would they get it from me by using it. Putting aside that I had little to no risk bc of the exposure I described. I just need to know if I am HIV pos and they used it would it pass to them. Please they are my family and I love them. I am afraid they got something from me by accident bc of using my eyeliner and mascara. Im sure my sister has used it many times before they live fairly close to me and my sister and I are close so she's always used my stuff and didnt know better not to. She has her whole life ahead of her. Please just assess if this would put her at risk.

Once again you are worrying needlessly. There's not a shred of validity in your latest concern. HIV is not passed through environmental objects including mascara, doorknobs, toilet seats, food and drink and such. Zero risk.

You are persuading me that you need to see a counselor or other professional to discuss your unwarranted fears about HIV. We can't help you with that kind of problem in this setting.

I will also remind you that you've been warned about coming here persistently over non-risk situations. If you start another round of them you are definitely going to find yourself getting a Time Out from this site. Consider yourself warned.

Do you think that those of us in serodiscordant relationships wrap ourselves in plastic and never touch? I've had partners use my toothbrush (ew) and get sweaty and nasty and freaky in bed. I've had partners eat and drink after me - eat food I prepare - help me to the hospital when I cut my finger on glass to the bone.

Do you really think HIV is contagious? Because that is what yo are describing.

And assuming you told your doctor the truth, he is both unprofessional, uninformed, and frankly should not be seeing patients if he even SUGGESTED that the ABSOLUTE non-issue you've been wasting your energy over is anything but a call for a referral to a therapist.

These "issues" are absolutely insulting to people with HIV. No wonder people don't disclose.

Holy mother of crap.

Logged

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

Andy, thank you for your quick reply. It's just my family that I get overly concerned about. They are my life.

Jkinatl2, I am so so sorry. I really didn't mean for my post to come off as insulting I really didn't- ignorance I guess is what causes this. I honestly have no knowledge of HIV transmission other then unprotected sex/sharing needles. When I read about transmission via eyes and things like that I became afraid esp when my mother complained of runny nose, cough and then has a swollen node on neck that is huge visible and painful I thought I did something wrong.

I truly did not mean to come off as a insensitive jerk by asking what I did. I know HIV isn't contagious but I also do not have enough knowledge on the subject to differentiate between zero risk and a risk.

My doctor i have to admit is contributing to the anxious state I believe maybe I've scared myself to. I told him the exact truth, every detail of what happened (the lancet issue not the eyeliner thing with my mom and sis) and he still is worried and in return scares me. Everytime I go in he mentions my having to go test soon and that I should be prepared either way. He always says ohh and that lancet thing... That could be why your nauseous, oh that could be why your throat hurts...

Again im sorry, I didn't mean to insult you. I'm sorry if I have that was really not my intention. The knowledge you all give to people like me on this forum is great.

Is there any reason why you think my doctor would keep saying its possible to transmit via lancet? Everyone else keeps saying no but my GP keeps saying yes. Esp, bc I have all these weird things happening to me now. I have severe joint pains on my wrists that make me drop things when I carry them. My joints on my knees kill me all the time. I had to go to the ER bc of severe pain on my left side rib cage that didn't let me breathe without hurting. I have nausea that makes me gag but no vomit throughout the whole day. It's just strange because I never had anything wrong with me before. It came all of a sudden after this.

Thank you Andy. I definitely do not want to get timed out again. I just want to try and let these facts sink in and understand them. I will drop this bc I don't want to waste more of your time. Thank you very much for your help and advice.

How can you be so sure I dont have a risk. You weren't watching the nurse administer the test- neither did I unfortunately.

But the purpose of forums is to help people. To help people understand and become educated on the subject. People don't come here because they love to linger on forums, atleast I don't. I want to know what is going on with my body and understand it. And I want to understand about lupus and HIV. If I could've found definitive answers about the lupus and HIV questions online myself I wouldn't bother you but I couldn't.

You have so much knowledge about this subject itDoesn't take anything to help someone in need out by just typing an answer, I don't understand.

■Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result, or no-risk situation will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, and autoimmune disease are prone to causing FALSE positive results, not late positive results. Autoimmune diseases are caused by an over-active immune system, not under-active.

But you never had a risk for hiv infection in the first place, as you have been REPEATEDLY told.

I'm giving you a second time out, which will last 56 days. Do not attempt to create a new account to get around your time out because if you do, you will be permanently banned.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts